Radio Shack: Oh for the good old days

[easilyconfused]

I wonder if it's just me.
http://projectcnc.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/bashing-radio-shack/

[DJPhil]

My friend has a saying about Radio Shack . . .

"You've got questions, we've got blank stares!"

Stuck in my mind, always makes me chuckle a bit.

Locally there is one place I could pick up parts, but I tend not to try very hard. They're one of eleven so far at having any kind of way of getting what I need, and the one success cost me nearly double what it would have been from digikey, shipping included. A few dollars matters on my budget, so I find myself building shopping carts at various suppliers and buying at least $30US worth of parts at a go to take the sting out of shipping. That and lots of salvage.

[saturation]

You can still find some parts there: pots, wire, DMM, fuses, but don't get your hopes up.  What's missing is window shopping for neat or novel stuff, now you need to do this online via pics and vids, but unless its done well and in high res, its far removed from a live demo.

If you need to buy retail, just go to their website, check inventory and its accurate in my experience. If your local store has no stock, click on what you need and do free shipping to the nearest store for pickup. You'll pay upfront and taxes, but unlike the blog, if all you need is an $1 fuse, you don't have to pay whatever S/H it will be from a non-RS store, but it will take 1-2 days for it to reach your store.  

RS prices are very competitive compared to real parts store like Jameco or Digikey and even for 1-2 day shipping, is faster than the cheapest USPS or UPS ground shipping. 

[easilyconfused]

If you need to buy retail, just go to their website, and do free shipping to the nearest store for pickup.

Good suggestion. I'll try that next time.

[Ferroto]

"You've got questions, we've got blank stares!"

lol Circuit City bought up all the Radio Shacks in Canada and called it "The Source"

[saturation]

Yes, I still shop RS.  The Source in Canada is still very similar, but it does tend to have more electronics parts that US RS no longer carry, like capacitors and resistors.

If you need to buy retail, just go to their website, and do free shipping to the nearest store for pickup.

Good suggestion. I'll try that next time.

[Zero999]

RS prices are very competitive compared to real parts store like Jameco or Digikey and even for 1-2 day shipping, is faster than the cheapest USPS or UPS ground shipping. 

Are you joking or confused with RS Components which are nothing to do with Radio$@g.

We used to have Tandy in the UK but they went under. I never understood how they could sell plain red LEDs for £1 for a pack of 2 or a 555 timer at £1 each and this is at 1995's prices so you're looking at much more in today's money. Shoplifting was rife, they had CCTV but it couldn't catch people who would sneakily remove components from the bubble package and conceal them somewhere on their person - I can remember seeing many empty packages left on the hooks and didn't know why they bothered to replace them.

Now there's Maplins with used to be pretty good back in 1995 but are crap nowadays, although they'r still mostly cheaper at today's prices than Tandy was back in 1995!

I still look at Maplins for components though, they're occasionally cheaper than all other suppliers, for example I've yet to find a dual ganged pot for 80p, which is the same proce as a single pot, it must be a mistake so  better stock up before they change their mind!
http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2204

[allanw]

They're still useful around here for cheap fuses and their 2W resistors. Oh and 2-56 screws.

[RayJones]

We had/have Tandy in Australia.

I say had/have because they were bought out many years ago by Dick Smith Electronics, who themselves were once a great place for enthusiasts.

At the time DSE bought Tandy, DSE themselves were already devolving into a electronics based gimmick store. The hope that Tandy may in some way uphold the desperate need for bits on the weekend was fruitless. The Tandy stores still exist, but they are now simply a DSE store with a different name at the front, and full of identical crap.

So now DSE = Tandy = crap. Fart machines are funny the first time you see them, but seriously who buys such crap.
Jaycar also now has all the appearances of a Chinese junk boutique at times, but you still can buy a resistor/capacitor/IC etc.

[DavidDLC]

RS is convenient for somethings, I just came from buying a 1/8" stereo plug in, I need it today and don't want to pay for shipping in one item and wait for 3-5 day to receive it.

And it's walking distance from home.


 

[saturation]

Yes, referring only to the electronic parts sold by Radio Shack, not about the appliances they sell like cellphones, TVs, etc., but I refer only the US stores.   RS Radio Shack still carry a few parts, you can judge for yourself, just go to their website and compare stock versus part at Jameco or any other domestic US supplier.

e.g. 741 op amp $1, Jameco 30c, but $10 minimum purchase not including S/H.  

RS prices are very competitive compared to real parts store like Jameco or Digikey and even for 1-2 day shipping, is faster than the cheapest USPS or UPS ground shipping.  

Are you joking or confused with RS Components which are nothing to do with Radio$@g.

We used to have Tandy in the UK but they went under. I never understood how they could sell plain red LEDs for £1 for a pack of 2 or a 555 timer at £1 each and this is at 1995's prices so you're looking at much more in today's money. Shoplifting was rife, they had CCTV but it couldn't catch people who would sneakily remove components from the bubble package and conceal them somewhere on their person - I can remember seeing many empty packages left on the hooks and didn't know why they bothered to replace them.

Now there's Maplins with used to be pretty good back in 1995 but are crap nowadays, although they'r still mostly cheaper at today's prices than Tandy was back in 1995!

I still look at Maplins for components though, they're occasionally cheaper than all other suppliers, for example I've yet to find a dual ganged pot for 80p, which is the same proce as a single pot, it must be a mistake so  better stock up before they change their mind!
http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2204

[RayJones]

I agree it gets very confusing for Aussies and Poms alike when people from the US use the RS abbreviation for Radio Shack.

RS Components is a very much different affair - more like Farnell - to us servants of the Queen of England

[GeoffS]

The present day RS (Tandy as I'm in Australia) is very different to the stores that were around in the late 1970's when I used to work there.
Back then,  you could usually find someone working in or running the store who knew their stuff.
The components were, and still are, ridiculously overpriced. At least there are alternative sources available these days.

[Zero999]

Yes, referring only to the electronic parts sold by Radio Shack, not about the appliances they sell like cellphones, TVs, etc., but I refer only the US stores.   RS Radio Shack still carry a few parts, you can judge for yourself, just go to their website and compare stock versus part at Jameco or any other domestic US supplier.

e.g. 741 op amp $1, Jameco 30c, but $10 minimum purchase not including S/H.  

I see.

That's a non-issue for me most of the time. I have a business account with RS Components which means I get free delivery, minimum order quantities occasionally get in the way though.

[EEVblog]

We had/have Tandy in Australia.

I say had/have because they were bought out many years ago by Dick Smith Electronics, who themselves were once a great place for enthusiasts.

Tandy hasn't been a competitive electronics parts place since the very early 1980. DSE since maybe the early 90's.

At the time DSE bought Tandy, DSE themselves were already devolving into a electronics based gimmick store. The hope that Tandy may in some way uphold the desperate need for bits on the weekend was fruitless. The Tandy stores still exist, but they are now simply a DSE store with a different name at the front, and full of identical crap.

So now DSE = Tandy = crap. Fart machines are funny the first time you see them, but seriously who buys such crap.
Jaycar also now has all the appearances of a Chinese junk boutique at times, but you still can buy a resistor/capacitor/IC etc.

Everyone likes to bag Jaycar, but the fact is they have a greater selection of parts now than they ever had. Compare the current catalog with one from the a few decades back and you'd be amazed.
Yes they now have the fart gadgets and less cluey staff, but they have to have those to pay the rent.

Dave.

[Simon]

what was in that article linked to by the op is just the same for Maplin in the UK, no longer that bothered about electronics and all incompetent sales people. It's a sign of the times, I really wish I was born in the 60's !!!

[Zero999]

It's a sign of the times, I really wish I was born in the 60's !!!

I often think that but then I turn to history and people who have actually lived through the 60s and I feel glad to have been born on the 80s.

[Zero999]

I've just been to Maplin today to get some parts.

• The dual pot which is cheaper than everywhere else.
• A couple of 74HC00s and 74HC14s (I know these are cheaper in RS Components but I didn't want to be cheeky and order a pounds worth of parts and expect free delivery).
• And a couple of LM337s, cheaper than RS when MOQs are considered - a replacement for a PSU I made which blew up (a story for another thread).

After I had just bought the components, I decided to check they were the right ones whilst I was outside the store. I then discovered they had given given me two N74s (don't know what they are) rather than two 74HC00s! I took a deep breath, went back in and informed the assistant who served me of their error.  After he had finished serving the customer, he looked at the parts and replaced them with the correct ones after asking me which ones were wrong several times and making the excuse that he couldn't read the text on the ICs and that someone had put them in the wrong bin.

I'm glad I checked my order but I should've just gone to RS in the first place.

[flapjackboy]

what was in that article linked to by the op is just the same for Maplin in the UK, no longer that bothered about electronics and all incompetent sales people. It's a sign of the times, I really wish I was born in the 60's !!!

S'funny, but both Maplin stores in Norwich must be bucking this trend because every time I've been in them, the staff have always been extremely competent and knowledgeable.

Also, the main store in the city has a 48W solder station on clearance for £11. (Ignore the site price, the store's trying to get rid of their stock as they've stopped stocking this model.) It's a cracking little solder station even for the price on the site.

[Simon]

well you will get localized variations, the Q's and A's on their products really make me laugh "yes the product does support that" - "no the oproduct does not support that" it really spells of people trying to answer without being all knowledgeable and without saying unfactual things. I was not impressed at the northampton store or the Kettering one, the website is just a plain cockup

[Zero999]

My favourite one is the Q/A for a zener diode:

Q)
Will this regulate the voltage of a 12v leadacid battery to 12v if put across it terminals as the battery when fully charged shows 12.75v

A)
all vehicle batteries actaully output an average of 13.5V. A diode will only work as long as you don't draw more than it's rated max current - in this case less than 50mA at 12V.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=19089

I hope the user can get their money back and claim compensation when the zener diode melts causing a the leads to glow until they melt and set the car on fire!

What a moron? If you don't know then don't answer the question! Don't try to pretend you know.

[Simon]

Need i say anymore ?, now i might be a quality inspector, but i know nearly nothing of the manufacturing processes I have to check the products of, but if I'm unsure I'll ask one of the operators or even the god damn supplier.

My favourite one is the Q/A for a zener diode:

Q)
Will this regulate the voltage of a 12v leadacid battery to 12v if put across it terminals as the battery when fully charged shows 12.75v

A)
all vehicle batteries actaully output an average of 13.5V. A diode will only work as long as you don't draw more than it's rated max current - in this case less than 50mA at 12V.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=19089

I hope the user can get their money back and claim compensation when the zener diode melts causing a the leads to glow until they melt and set the car on fire!

What a moron? If you don't know then don't answer the question! Don't try to pretend you know.

[Rhythmtech]

My favourite one is the Q/A for a zener diode:

Q)
Will this regulate the voltage of a 12v leadacid battery to 12v if put across it terminals as the battery when fully charged shows 12.75v

A)
all vehicle batteries actaully output an average of 13.5V. A diode will only work as long as you don't draw more than it's rated max current - in this case less than 50mA at 12V.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=19089

I hope the user can get their money back and claim compensation when the zener diode melts causing a the leads to glow until they melt and set the car on fire!

What a moron? If you don't know then don't answer the question! Don't try to pretend you know.

Communication is not the usually the strong suit of the technically inclined.  Seems like he 1. shouldn't have assumed it was a car bettery, 2. should have said after he assumed it was a car battery "NO!, never place components across the terminals."  3. "You need a regulator to regulate voltage. "

I am not entirely convinced he "just didn't know"

[Zero999]

You're right, he shouldn't have assumed that.

I sent them an email via the "contact us" section., stating that if you use a zener as a regulator, you need a suitable series resistor and that it would be better to use a low drop out regulator but they don't sell a 12V one. Damn, I just realised they made a mistake with the current calculation which I failed to spot, the person said the maximum current rating is 50mA when it's 41.7mA for a 12V 0.5W zener, I used 50mA when calculating the resistor value in my email and I made a mistake with the division.  I'll send a follow up email - at least I check and correct my own mistakes.

[Rhythmtech]

You're right, he shouldn't have assumed that.

I sent them an email via the "contact us" section., stating that if you use a zener as a regulator, you need a suitable series resistor and that it would be better to use a low drop out regulator but they don't sell a 12V one. Damn, I just realised they made a mistake with the current calculation which I failed to spot, the person said the maximum current rating is 50mA when it's 41.7mA for a 12V 0.5W zener, I used 50mA when calculating the resistor value in my email and I made a mistake with the division.  I'll send a follow up email - at least I check and correct my own mistakes.

More than I did to help the world today. good job!